Hotel F&B Exec
Fernando Salazar Embodies the American Dream
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
San Antonio, TX 鈥 Food and beverage executive Fernando Salazar has been named the
new managing director of The Culinary Institute
of America (CIA), San Antonio, effective June 1. He replaces David Kellaway, managing director for the past five years, who is
moving to Colorado. Mr. Salazar has been involved with the CIA for several
years, serving on the executive committee of CIA's Latin Cuisines Advisory Council and presenting at several
of its thought leadership conferences. He was commencement speaker at the CIA鈥檚 New York campus in 2010.
Mr. Salazar comes to the CIA from Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
where, since 2007, he was vice president for food and beverage and vice
president of operations for Latin America. From 1996 to 2007, he held several
management positions with Omni Hotels and Resorts, including director of
operations for the Omni Colonnade in San Antonio and vice president for food
and beverage for the entire company.
His career in food and beverage management began in 1975 as
restaurant manager with Helmsley Hotels at the St. Moritz in New York City, and
continued with more than a decade at Westin Hotels.
Salazar鈥檚 responsibilities in his new role include
overseeing all aspects of the CIA鈥檚 Texas campus in San Antonio, including
associate degree programs in culinary arts and baking
and pastry arts, , , and the
operations of .
Salazar immigrated to the United States from Ecuador and
worked his way up in the hospitality industry, starting as a dishwasher at age
14. A quintessential example of an immigrant success story, he is profiled in a
high school sociology textbook as a case study of the promise of the American
Dream. Fernando Salazar earned a 2010 Silver Plate Award from the International
Foodservice Manufacturers Association in the Hotels & Lodging Category for
his contributions to the industry. He is a member of the International Food and
Beverage Forum.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Food and beverage executive Fernando Salazar is the new
managing director of The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio. (Photo credit: CIA/Keith Ferris)
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world鈥檚 premier
culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the foodservice
and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers associate
degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; bachelor鈥檚 degree majors
in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; and executive
education through its Food Business School. Its conferences and consulting
services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry in the areas of
health & wellness, sustainability, world cuisines & cultures, and
professional excellence & innovation. The college also offers certificate
programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its worldwide network
of 48,000 alumni includes leaders in every area of foodservice and hospitality.
The CIA has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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